The newly installed 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Olalekan Balogun, has assured the people of Ibadanland and Nigeria in general that he would not let them down.
Balogun made the pledge in his first public speech shortly after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to him as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
At the event were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers and opinion leaders.
“The new Olubadan said: “I want to assure all that I will not let the people of Ibadan down. I will not let the people of Nigeria down.”
The traditional ruler, however, thanked all the eminent personalities, including the traditional rulers, the serving and former governors and National Assembly members present for the honour done him by their presence.
Makinde presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland at exactly 12.30 p.m.
The programme was officially declared opened at exactly 11.14 a.m with the recitation of National Anthem, Oyo State Anthem as well as Ibadan Anthem.
The opening prayers were said by Christians, Muslims and the traditional prayer by the Araba Awo of Ibadanland.
However, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland was ushered into the venue at exactly 11.50 a.m, after which all the traditional chiefs, Mogajis, religious leaders, leaders of various associations in Ibadanland paid homage to Oba Balogun.
Meanwhile, Osinbajo said the openness and large heart of Balogun earned him the throne.
Osinbajo also prophesied that the reign of the traditional ruler would witness greatness.
“He was better prepared for the throne, having being a scholar, former Senator and champion of indigenous culture and community empowerment,” the vice president said.
Osinbajo, while congratulating the new Olubadan, Governent of Oyo State, on the coronation, commended the orderliness and unique steps taken in ascending to the throne of Olubadan.
Makinde, in his address, urged the new Ibadan foremost traditional ruler to remain steadfast as the gatekeeper of Ibadan traditional system.
The governor urged the traditional rulers, as custodians of traditional system, not to play politics with the system.
He said that no politician, no matter how highly placed, could destroy any system without the cooperation of members of the system.
Makinde implored Balogun and the Olubadan-In-Council to work toward ensuring that the laws, having to do with the ascension to the throne of Olubadan, remain sacrosanct.
He advised the Olubadan-In- Council to be self-conceived and remain self-regulated without any external interference from the political class, if there was going to be any amendment in the laws.
The governor said further that he had always taken a stand for the integrity of traditional systems.
“And so, I am, especially delighted that today, Friday, March 11, the sanctity of the emergence of this century-old dynasty, has been restored.
“His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, Okumade II, has distinguished himself as an excellent professional.
“He has without doubt contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.
“He has served both in private and public service and has even represented Oyo State at the Senate.
“He is indeed a man of many parts and so, we rejoice that His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okumade II, climbed the 22 steps on the Olubadan line, starting from the lowest rung of Jagun Olubadan over a period of 39 years.
“We rejoice because His Imperial Majesty having seen how things were when politics became a factor in the ascension to the throne, is in a great position to defend the traditions of our people and ensure that this does not happen again.
“And, I want to restate that though, we politicians will come and go, sometimes, to satisfy our political whims, we may make decisions that do not protect our traditional systems.
“But, this is why the custodians of our culture must always take a stand preventing us from tinkering with the age-old traditional systems.
“So, I join Oyo State Government, sons and daughters of Ibadan and good people of Oyo State to wish the Imperial Majesty a peaceful and successful reign,” Makinde said.
Highlights of the event was the
traditional homages to the new Olubadan, led by Otun Olubadan, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, followed by other members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Council of Iyalodes, Mogajis and religious leaders, among others.
